Looking Back: In Balta Sound

From November 1904

IN BALTA SOUND*

THE following interesting description of the work among our Fisher Girls, as it presents itself to an onlooker, has been sent to us, and we have pleasure in printing it:-

Life in this great centre of the “Herring Fishing” presents many phases unfamiliar to the man. Let the reader imagine a long inlet of the sea called the Voe, about three miles in length and one mile in width, and forming one of the finest harbours to be found anywhere. On the north and south sides of the Voe are ranged the houses of the fish-curers. These are built of wood, and accommodate hundreds of “Fisher Girls,” engaged for the season to clean and pack the herrings. The welfare of these girls is carefully attended to by lady Deputies, sent from the various Churches, and one requires to be on the scene to realise the importance of these missions.

The ladies have, on their books, the names of many hundreds of girls, and to these they devote their time, ministering to their needs in every possible way. Living, as I did during my visit, on the south side of the Voe, on which the Mission Halls in connections with the Church of Scotland are situated , I had ample opportunity of seeing the work carried on, and judging of the results.

The Halls are neat and substantial, and one could not help admiring the efficient manner in which the two lady Deputies, Miss MacLeod and Miss Millar, did their work. From morning till night they were unwearied in their devotion to the girls, taking the deepest and most sympathetic interest in their welfare, bandaging cut fingers, nursing the sick, etc. They were ably aided also by Mr. Lowder, who conducted evangelistic meetings in the evening. Both ladies exercised a most beneficent influence in the Island, and were much respected by all.

At the close of the season a tea was given to the girls, and, under the genial and able presidency of Mr. Lowder, this was a great success, the Hall being so crowded that several had to be accommodated in the anteroom. Bright, stirring addresses were given, Miss Oman being specially interesting in an account of her work in India, while solos were rendered by several ladies. At the close of the meeting Mrs. Bannerman asked the girls to unite in sending a hearty greeting to their devoted friend, Miss Davidson, who is at present in the Isle of Wight. The enthusiasm with which this was responded to showed the affected and esteem of those for whom this lady has done so much, and one realised in a forcible manner how much Scotland and the Scottish Church are indebted to her and her colleagues for their self-sacrificing and philanthropic labours amongst the “Fisher Lassies.”

S. F. M.

Balta Sound is on the east coast of Unst, the northernmost of the Shetland Islands.

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